The Miracle of Peppermint Oil

I recently discovered the benefits of peppermint oil after a visit to a naturopathic doctor. After dealing with digestive and bloating issues for the past 2 plus years and exhausting every traditional medicine treatment, I was willing to try just about anything.

My naturopath suggested peppermint oil supplements to help. Having never heard of peppermint oil for health reasons, I looked into a little more. And I was incredibly surprised about all of the benefits that peppermint oil offers!

What is peppermint oil?

You’ve probably heard of peppermint and are familiar with its use as a flavoring for foods or a scent in soaps or other household items. Peppermint oil comes from the peppermint plant, which is a cross between water mint and spearmint. The plant thrives in Europe and North America, making it extremely cost effective for use in many products. The oil is extracted from the plant and used in all types of products.

Benefits of Peppermint Oil

As mentioned earlier, there are many, many benefits to peppermint oil.

Let’s look at some of the most common benefits:

Soothes digestive issues

Reduces stomach aches

Freshens breath

Relieves headaches

Antimicrobial properties

Improves mental focus

Clears respiratory tract

Boosts energy

Releases tight muscles

Uses for Peppermint Oil

The uses for peppermint oil are virtually limitless. It can be used for almost anything from medicinal needs such as digestive issues, to muscle relief, or headaches. It’s good for skin care and as an insect repellent as well. Even babies can find relief from teething pain.

Let’s look at the top 15 uses for Peppermint Oil:

1. Relief from muscle pain

Peppermint oil applied topically is an effective natural muscle relaxant and painkiller. It can help soothe sore muscles following a tough workout, long day at work or pain from fibromyalgia.

2. Clearing sinus passages

Smelling diffused peppermint oil can be effective in unclogging sinuses and clearing nasal passages. Peppermint acts as an expectorant similar to what is found in many medications. It may provide relief for colds, cough, bronchitis and sinusitis.

3. Provides natural energy

Peppermint is a natural pick-me-up. A few sniffs will perk you up any time you feel fatigued.

4. Relief for allergies

Because peppermint oil is an effective muscle relaxer, it can relax your nasal passages and can help clear out allergens. It is also effective at relieving the symptoms brought on by allergy season.

5. Relieves itching

Itchy skin can burn and drive you crazy. But peppermint oil can help soothe and cool any itch. Apply a little peppermint oil to the area for relief if you’ve been unfortunate enough to stumble through poison ivy, an ant pile or been bit by bugs.

6. Fever reducer

Because peppermint is cooling, it can be effective in reducing fever naturally. To use, mix a couple of drops in coconut oil and rub it on your neck and the bottom of feet. This is an especially good way to lower fever in children naturally.

7. Bug repellent

If you want to repel bugs before they have a chance to bite, try some peppermint oil. The scent repels ticks, ants, spiders, roaches, mosquitos, and lice.

8. Relieves headache

Apply a little peppermint oil to your forehead and temples when you have a headache. The pain relieving effect can be felt as the oil relaxes tense muscles.

9. Relieves sunburn pain

Used as a topical ointment, peppermint oil mixed with coconut oil hydrates burnt skin and cools it, relieving the pain of a sunburn.

10. Treatment for irritable bowel syndrome

A peppermint oil supplement taken orally has been shown to reduce some of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Peppermint has been proven to to relax irritated bowels and reduce colon spasms.

11. Reduction of bloating

Peppermint relaxes the muscles of the intestines, which can help reduce bloating and gas. Supplements can be used for this purpose or adding a drop of peppermint oil to your water before meals.

12. Freshen breath

If you’ve ever wondered why toothpaste is always minty, this is why. Peppermint is highly effective at freshening breath. Minty breath can be a side effect of supplements. You can also add a drop of peppermint onto your tongue for fresh breath.

13. Reducing nausea

For those that regularly suffer nausea, adding a drop of peppermint oil to water or rubbing a drop behind your ears can really help. This is an especially effective treatment for dealing with nausea as a side effect of chemotherapy.

14. Respiratory benefits

Peppermint can act as a decongestant and open airways. Mixing a drop or two of oil with coconut oil and rubbing it on your chest can help reduce the symptoms of bronchitis or asthma. This mixture with a drop of eucalyptus oil acts as a homemade vapor rub.

15. Reduces teething pain

Anyone that has dealt with a baby experiencing the pain of teething knows that it’s difficult to sooth their pain. Adding a drop of pepper oil to coconut oil and rubbing it on the gum can help ease the pain without numbing the gums or tongue.

Have you ever used peppermint oil? Tell me your favorite use in the comments below.

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Comments

I love the smell of peppermint oil, and I’ve always known it was good for the sinuses, but I had NO idea it was so good for so many other things. This is great!Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle recently posted…Fresh Family Meals From Chef’s Plate

I really need to try peppermint oil. I suffer from Fibromyalgia and RA so I could benefit from adding these to my daily habits. Plus, I have allergies too.Christy Garrett recently posted…Top 5 Repercussions of Sleeping Too Much

I have never used the essential oils before but I know more and more people are using them for many things. The peppermint I will have to pick up because I have chronic migraines and fibromyalgia. Thanks for the information.

Welcome to My Real Food Family! I started My Real Food Family in 2012 after cleaning up my diet and eliminating processed food. Now I am passionate about providing other busy moms with easy and healthy recipes that they can feel good about feeding their families. Read More…